The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-24
CLiat BEllt'S BUGG1r.
FESTIVITIES ON RI ARD A Pop
ULAR BARGE EXCURSION.
Some Lively Incidents Of a Very
Gay fine Enjoyed at Sara
tOga.


New YORK July 22,-In a spirit
of adventure, as well as to escape the
heat of the town for day, but under
safe chaperonsge, l took passage
upon group of barges attached to a
large steamer bound up the river to
picnic ground. 1t was typical
popular excursion. People from the
East Side and all along the water
front who could afford to take a days
outing were there, with their wives
and children. They had two small
bands along besides Scotchman in
native undress aud baspipe. No
sooner had the boat and barges cast
Of into the stream than dancing be-
gan in every available place where
the SCUM of the music could reach.
At no moment during the rest OF the
day was there = cessation in this form
Of amusement, for as soon as the ex-
cursiouists got ashore good percent.
aye of them went to a pavilion near
the dock aud kept it up there until
time for re. embarkation. As We lay
at the pier previous to getting under
way, sat on the upper deck OF one
OF the barges on long bench that
continued around the craft next to
the rail. A man about thirty years
old, with face that betokened a
rough determination to enjoy himself,
approached, leading two little girls
by the hands. He lifted them up to
the bench beside me aud putting on
q stern expression, he said to them.
Now yen set there, dye We mind2
Set right there aud don't stir from
that place, dye hear' Set still aud
don't stir away"
"Ah, come now, exclaimed fat
woman, sitting near. Mr.. Callahan,
yez let them locse2 Sure don't
they want to enjoy themselves the
same as yez do2 Ply don't you let
them run aboutY'
Leave them set still, Mrs.
0'Brieu," responded the man rough.
~, they can enjoy themselves quite
enough for them where they are, aud
il they was 10 run about how would |
find them when / want them away2
Set still, now, dye mindp"
The little ones we're smiling and
paid apparently no attention to the
commands. The man stopped over
to adjust lunch basket, aud as he
did so, a suspicious stream poured
from the inside pocket Of his coat
over the basket aud upon the deck.
He looked at it studidly for an in
slant, aud then carefully thrust his
hand into his pooke aud slowly with
drew plot flask, from which the
cork had been lost. Everybody who
saw il smiled. He looked at il rue
fully. Ii was about half full.
Here" he said. presenting the
flask TO me, will yez have it2 It's
good brandy, so il Isl" and when |
declined, Sure, don't want il any
more. Yez might as well have il as
10 throw IL away"
Finding he could not make q gift
Of il, he concluded to keep il and put
il back in his pocket, not even try
ing to stop further leakage with a
piece OF wadded paper. He started
to 60 away, but paused just in time
10 zoe the elder OF his children dart
after a man with a big boutonniere
to beg "posy" OF him.
Here, hcrel come back wild yes. y
exclaimed the father angrily. lie
seized her not roughly but emphati.
c.lly by the shoulder aud pushed her
back 10 her place on the bench with
further stern admonitiOns ~ keeJ
still aud mind what he sail. The
children were not in the least dis
turbed by his diroful language, and
though they sat quietly while he war
in sight, they did not look troubled
or frightened. The minute h,
turned his back one OF the children
tugged at my sleeve, aud when
looked down TO see what was wanteC
she said:
Say, Mister, will We stop on 40!
grass up thore2'
The most interesting feature OF
the dancing on this excursion WI,
the jigs. All the other dancing wa,
unique enough 10 one accustomed Il
the graceful aud elegant movement
Of people whose nearest approach Il
popular excursion 10 a yachting
cruise. The figures 10 this case wcT,
strange aud crude, aud the notioui
oil all but one or two positively swk
ward and grotesque. though the re-
lalouE OF the sexes 10 my mind wer,
; o. decorous as IN the most fashion
able gatherings At the Brunswick
but the jigs were more interesting
because thoy gave 80 good q ohane,
. for DEMONSTRATING the poculiaTitiei
OF the people. There was one youny
man with a sandy mustacbo who va,
ready at all moments in the day 4
start 10 on jig ia competition with
man, woman or child, and the result
: was IN part that the Scotchman blew
steadily aud the droning Of the bag
pipe never ceased. So great was th,
interest taken by the party in the jigi
, that the bsspipe was always sur
; rounded by big crowd, and IL otter
happened that four couples At ono,
we're dancing. A typical man ia
such = crowd is one who fairly roar
with the freedom Of the day. II,
! slaps his friends on the back, drink
! deeply aud heartily Of ioamy beer
gives every girl Of his Acquaintance I
! vigorous hug in passing, and beior,
the day 10 over experiments will
every form Of amusement Of
ierod by the occasion. He maj
, wind up his diversion II h
gets = bit excited by a fight
, he may get very drunk, but never foi
a moment does the care Of business
, suggest itself, no never iorgets BIZ
. freedom, and IL seems part OF hil
/. enjoyment 10 proclaim iorcibly hi
> lack Of restraint. When a crowd i
composed mainly OF such men an'
women. for there are plenty Of wo
I men Of the same type-white gowne'
/ "a aasIa ea.aIaNH ~ q A a